contantly speeding up - "multiple tasking" - clutter - superficiality - inability to love - sunset fatigue
Can you relate to these statements? These 6 statements are from John Ortberg's book "The Life You've Always Wanted." His chapter on "slowing" is really a pertinent one for all of us. If we are to follow Jesus, we must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from our lives-because, by definition, we can't move faster than the one we are following. So how do you cure this sickness of hurry? We must realize that we cannot achieve this on our own we have to enter the life of training. First, is called "slowing" this involves cultivating patience by deliberately choosing to place ourselves in position we we simply have to wait." Things like declare a fast from honking or for a week your fast food slowly. We will soon discover we can survive without hurry.
I learned this lesson the other week while on my way to pick my parents up at the airport. I decided to make a stop at a store which put me behind in time to pick them up. I knew that I needed to make up some time and so the foot got heavy which lead to my first speeding ticket ever. My oldest daughter was with me and after the nice altercation with the Sheriff she congratulated me on not getting my first ticket until I was 38 years old. I am still learning this practice of "slowing" how about you? PJ
Vacation - n. a period of rest from work, study, etc.
That is Webster's definition of vacation and I like it. I hope you have been able to vacate this summer and get a little rest with family and friends. The Bible uses the word "sabbath" which literally means to quit what you are doing. Now that is not a permanent quiting but a temporary time to stop doing work and enjoy life. I am going on vacation in a few weeks with my family and I am looking forward to it! We all know that life happens at frightening speeds and if we don't take time to slow down or as John Ortberg says practice the art of slowing we will be no good for anyone or anything. I pray you practice the art of slowing this summer and enjoy what is left. What did you do on your vacation this summer or hope to do? P.J.
I was traveling in my car the other day to drop my prince and princess off at daycare and I was reminded by a conversation taking place over the radio of how excited, energized, and empowered we feel when we hear a song that brings back great memories from our life. I don't know about you, but music does this to me, a lot! It takes me back to great times and experiences of my past some are spiritual mountain top experiences and others are just really good times with family and friends. I'm sure your probably the same way with something, (maybe not music) in your own life.
Have you ever thought how you could share your story (testimony) with someone you love and care about in a matter of 60 seconds or less, or if they you/they had the time your entire story in detail. Most of the time you will share it in as little as 60 seconds. Kind of like the title of a favorite movie of mine "Gone In 60 Seconds" a lot of times that's all the time you have to share your testimony, if you can't, their GONE!
If you havent thought of it before I encourage you to, and then begin to write it out. Then incorparate scripture (God's Word) that strengthens the point of where God has brought you from. Then begin to share it!
So as I'm in my car and I'm thinking about how sharring my (God) story is
just like reliving & remembering what God has saved/brought each one of us
from. Now that's some really exciting moments in my life, and I'm sure
yours. Remember EVERYONE has a
story to tell!
Consumed by HIS Calling,
pastor matt
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. Psalm 37:7
In today's culture and society I find it so incredibly hard to wait. We are a people of instant gratification; waiting is not in our vocabulary, yet the Bible repeatedly says to wait for the Lord. We are to be still and wait patiently. This is a lesson that I feel God has been trying to teach me over the last few months. We come before His throne with prayers, petitions, and grandiose ideas of how we think our lives should be, quickly blurt them out in no particular order and then go on about our lives without another thought. And we wonder why things don't seem to be going in our favor? It could be that perhaps we're not living in His favor. I am a firm believer that God wants to bless us, but I also believe that we regularly cheapen the incredible gifts and plans that He has for us because we are impatient and inconsistent. If we all would take time to regularly wait before the Lord we would see a radical change in our lives. In Isaiah 40:31 it says, "But they who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not be faint." So I challenge you to take some time and wait. To seek the heart of Father who so desperately wants to spend time with you.
"The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name." Exodus 15:3
When many people think of Jesus they get this idea that He was some safe guy, always meek and mild and gentle carrying a little lamb around His shoulders giving candy to kids. Gentle yes, but He was also the greatest warrior who ever lived. The Old Testament is filled with metaphors and images of God that are so powerful like God is your fortress, your shelter, your shield, your rock, your redeemer, and all consuming fire. Men need to realize that God has created them with a heart of a warrior. There are a couple of key components to this heart of a warrior that stands out. First, every warrior has a cause to fight for. Nehemiah 4:14 says, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes." Second, a warrior without a cause to fight for will find the wrong thing to fight against. So many men are fighting the wrong battle in their lives and are wondering why they are frustrated and burned out. I would ask you today to fill in the statement - Name your cause:__________________ During this season of your life, what is your greatest cause? The older a man gets his cause will change like the seaons. A man's cause at 18 will be different than age 38 and different when he is 50. I encourage you to find what your cause is today and following what God has put in your heart even before you where born.
